Lakers dominate Hornets with Bynum back as starter

Dec. 29, 2010

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Andrew Bynum of the Lakers dunks the ball during the game against the New Orleans Hornets. CHRIS GRAYTHEN, GETTY IMAGES

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Emeka Okafor #50 of the New Orleans Hornets shoots the ball over Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the New Orleans Arena on December 29, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. CHRIS GRAYTHEN, GETTY IMAGES

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Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball over D.J. Mbenga #28 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on December 29, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. CHRIS GRAYTHEN, GETTY IMAGES

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Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball over Emeka Okafor #50 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on December 29, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. CHRIS GRAYTHEN, GETTY IMAGES

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Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball over Emeka Okafor #50 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on December 29, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. CHRIS GRAYTHEN, GETTY IMAGES

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Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball over Emeka Okafor #50 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on December 29, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. CHRIS GRAYTHEN, GETTY IMAGES

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Emeka Okafor #50 of the New Orleans Hornets shoots the ball over Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the New Orleans Arena on December 29, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. CHRIS GRAYTHEN, GETTY IMAGES

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Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets shoots the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the New Orleans Arena on December 29, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. CHRIS GRAYTHEN, GETTY IMAGES

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Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets shoots the ball over Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the New Orleans Arena on December 29, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. CHRIS GRAYTHEN, GETTY IMAGES

New Orleans Hornets guard Marco Belinelli is hit in the face by Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010. SEAN GARDNER, AP

NEW ORLEANS – The two-time defending NBA champions can still be the dragon that causes lesser opponents to shrink from their fire.

The San Antonio Spurs didn't wilt from the Lakers' determination Tuesday night in the Lakers' third consecutive lopsided loss. So the Lakers redoubled their efforts Wednesday night and delivered utter domination of the New Orleans Hornets, 103-88.

"I sensed it early on that some of our guys were a bit overwhelmed," Hornets coach Monty Williams said.

The Lakers stood even taller because of Phil Jackson's decision to move Andrew Bynum back into his usual role as the Lakers' starting center for the first time this season.

"Might as well," Jackson said afterward, pointing to the Lakers' run of defeats to Milwaukee, Miami and San Antonio.

The shift was a bonanza for the Lakers, with Odom scoring his most ever point in a game where he came off the bench: 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Bynum was also big, scoring 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting and forming a logical matchup with Hornets center Emeka Okafor.

"I know I still have some explosiveness to get back and some athleticism to get back," Bynum said. "I know at this point in the season it's tough to do both; it's tough to train off the court when you're trying to come back. It will come with time, and I'll be back to jumping."

Recovering from July 28 surgery to his right knee, Bynum was able to handle playing the first 9:31 of the game — Jackson had been skeptical of his conditioning — and will remain a starter going forward, Jackson said.

The Lakers can only hope Bynum helps them start with such power in future games.

The Lakers roared out to a 46-29 lead by making 20 of their first 27 shots (74.1 percent). They finished at 58.6 percent from the field and easily overcame their 21 turnovers with a 44-24 rebounding advantage. New Orleans' seven rebounds before halftime tied the Lakers' all-time opponent low for a half (Feb. 4, 1986, vs. Dallas).

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